The beginning words of the Bible describes how everything and everyone came into existence. Not with battles or bugles but through breath; the breath of God. The entirety of the universe established through God’s exhaled words.
This belief in God’s spirit to create life itself echoed in the creation of humanity. God breathing life into the nostrils of his dust creatures who became living beings. Caretakers of creation crowned with glory and honor who reflect and reveal the Divine.
This same breath that sustains all of us from cradle to crypt, also endowed us with the power to craft words; both the pronounced and penned. To name objects and subjects in our world. To create a reality based on language and labels. To show and share our hearts with others and God.
The words we use are always a matter of life or death because they act as a mirror that reflects our hearts; the holy of holies. The sacred space within each of us where light and darkness clash. Where truth and lies conflict. Where life and death commence.
Both our verbal and written expressions of the heart are fueled by the same Divine spirit that sustains all people. Every expression we put out into the world only happens because we carry the breath of God. Every word that we write or speak defines our allegiance; a choice to honor what God wants for us or what we want for ourselves.
Like with every gift God has given us, responsibility is required. Each of us will be held accountable for our words. Especially words of carelessness and words without purpose. Every word we put out into the world will bring either deliverance or condemnation. We will reap what we sow.
A sober reminder to myself to choose my words carefully. A somber reminder to humanity to choose our words carefully. A solemn reminder that words have consequences.
Yet, we use words to belittle other people. We use words to avoid meaningful self-reflection. We use words to lie and twist truth. We use words to enrich ourselves at the expense of our brothers and sisters. We use words to trick, steal and deceive. We use words learned from the powers of darkness; powers that hate human creatures and therefore hate God our Creator.
We live in a world swarming with words. Pollinated by owned media, earned media and paid media. Busy bees hoping to create buzz and stickiness to attract us.
We live in an age that’s birthed multiple professions that handsomely rewards spin and the manipulation of words. Public relations, marketing, advertising, sales, law, journalism and yes, even writers. Seven professions where words are widely wielded for worldly wealth.
My past profession of pharmaceutical marketing an ideal illustration. My adult life in service to spin to sell stuff; even stuff that shouldn’t have been sold. Stuff soiled with self-interest because it was solely about sales not safety. Words became tools to justify the ends; no matter the price. Costing the world both truth and love.
Jesus rightly reminding us that speaking truth is a simple response. ‘Yes’ for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ for ‘No.’ Anything further comes from the Deceiver. Wasting words in our effort to promote and pedal ourselves in our penchant for wanting the worlds admiration.
Yet, we can also use our words to welcome strangers. To do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. To defend the oppressed, to love our neighbor and love God. God is love.
The words of God eternally employed to inspire, guide, teach, and redeem all people. God sending us the Word. The eternal expression of love to deliver all of us from death.
I’m humbly learning to take deep breaths and deliberate pauses before I write or speak. Searching my heart for love as opposed to saying stuff that have nothing to do with love, but everything to do with self-promotion. A learning that will take a lifetime, but whose lesson is unequivocally about love.
Peace. God loves you.